Coyote hunting - 243 or 223

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buckchaser

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I'm hoping to try some coyote hunting this winter for the first time.

I'm hunting "Ontario sized" coyotes, but not wolves (so animals in the 30 - 65 lb range I am told). I doubt I would ever have more than a 300 meter shot in the areas I hunt in Eastern Ontario.

The two calibers I am looking at are the 223 or 243. Obviously the 243 packs a heavy punch and could easily be used for big game as well - but that is just a nice fringe benefit - my 7mm-08 can take care of any big game species that crosses my path and is a good long range shooter as well.

I have never fired a 223, but I'm told it is a mellow round in terms of noise/blast and still handles any coyote walking within 300 meters. I've heard people say it is cheaper to shoot, but they must reload as online ammunition prices between the 243 and 223 seem virtually identical.

I would probably also use this rifle for general practice to keep my shooting skills sharp.

Any advantage to going with a "varmint" model rifle?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 
I started with 243 due to the wind in SK.

I hadload but still found 243 to be hard on the pelts.

I switched to a 223 and will never look back.

Cheap ammo and killer accurate.
You can buy bulk 223 not 243
Thats where you will find savings.
Same goes for reloading - bulk is readily available and more rds per lb.

And 223 is kind on fur. As far as yardage Ive dropped em over 400 with the 223.

My buddys shoot savage axis and love them. Gun stays in truck all winter.

Im out every morning and sell furs so the money got me a nice vtr 700.

But I say 223 all day.
 
Varmint models will generally have a heavier barrel for "extended shooting sessions" Mostly just a sales tactic but it does have some real world benifits. Either of those calibers will work great for coyotes. But anything you can shoot good will work great. .204 ruger, .222, 22-250, .308. Dead is dead unless you're trying hard to save pelts. There's a YouTube channel where 2 guys shoot coyotes at over 1000ydswith 338lapua and .300winmag. Just have fun with it
 
If you already own a 7mm-08, I'd recommend the .223 over a .243.
You'd really enjoy the .223
The varmint specific rifles, I don't think you need. As has been said, they usually weigh a couple pounds more.
 
I have both and they fit different needs. Noise, farmland near town....223 gets the nod.
Some places the wolves and yote territory overlap and where noise isn't an issue, the .243 gets a ride.

About 250-300m self imposed max for me with 223, usually much much closer, not many bangflops past about 150m.

.243 is better way further but pelt damage can turn you into a seamstress lol.
 
I like cartridges that DRT coyotes.

I've shot my fair share of coyotes with a 223 and as far as I am concerned it is only a 150 yard coyote cartridge not saying it won't kill them beyond that saying that they run way further/longer than I like beyond 150 yards.

I'm curious as to why you're only choosing between the 223 and 243 why not also look at the most popular coyote cartridge of them all the 22-250 my experience is it DRT's coyotes out to 300 yards with authority?

This year my main coyotes rifles cartridges that I am going to be using are a 6.8spc loaded with 110gr V-Max @ 2750fps and a 25-06 loaded with 90gr Blitzkings @ ??? don't know yet just starting to work up a load.
 
you can get into a 223 pretty cheap now a days.
i picked up a Ruger Predator in 223 and i love it - perfect for distance shooting.
you can get those for around the $500 range and drop a $150 Pine Ridge scope in it from Cabelas and your good out to 300 no problem.

when i go out i use my Predator if im gonna be laying in wait or calling them in.
if im just driving around looking for them and know im gonna get closer i take my Ruger mini 14.

the 223 give you a lot of options for ammo.
i dont reload my 223 but for the above 2 guns i shoot 'better ammo' in my bolt ruger and if im using the mini14 i shoot surplus ammo and that stuff is pennies a shot.

when i grew up on a farm in Central Alberta i used a 243 for them and that hits harder but as mentioned above its a louder gun and the pelts are toast.
you could reload for the 243 and it would get the price down to the surplus 223 price range.

for my vote id say look at the Ruger Predator or the Ruger Ranch in 223 as they are pretty much made to order just for yotee' hunting.
 
the ruger american ranch even comes with a coyote colored stock!

4635408_02_ruger_american_ranch_5_56_223__640.jpg
 
My current coyote gun is a a savage in .204 Ruger. Excellent gun, accurate to 400+ yards. Only downfall is the lighter bullet on windy days.
 
I switched to the 222 from a 243 for yotes and wolves, too much pelt damage with the 6mm bullets at speed. The 222 works fine up to 300-350 yards, and for where I hunt most shots are 50-200 yards.
 
Many years ago a friend and I did a lot of coyote hunting in the snow in Alberta. We found it is important to see your misses in order to adjust for the 2nd, third and sometimes 4th shot. Early in the season a 22-250 worked well, later a 6mm was better but when the snow got deep we used a .270 and a .280.
 
If I am shooting in the wind I go to my 243. Otherwise my go to is 223 Rem. Always wanted to play round with the 22-250 as it is a great round ballisticly but since you can't shoot deer with it I always end up sticking to 243.
To the OP you need to decide based on conditions nod whether you want to keep the pelt.
 
I don't miss my 223 at all. I tried the heavy bullet, less wind deflection route, and found the drop at 300+ to be more than my liking. Now I shoot 40gr vmax at 4000ish out of a 22-250, less than 5" drop at 300 yards, good to hold on fur. Also the 40gr has done very little pelt damage, shot a fox within 100 yards in the neck, did not exit. I have had a run off though with them...
 
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